Methods And Compositions For Cancer Therapies That Include Delivery Of Halogenated Thymidines And Thymidine Phosphorylase Inhibitors In Combination With Radiation

ABSTRACT

Methods and formulations are provided for treating cancer and neoplastic diseases in conjunction with radiation therapy where such methods and formulations include a combination of a radiosensitizing agent that is metabolized by thymidine phosphorylase and a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor that increases the half-life of the radiosensitizing agent.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This international application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/444,155, filed Jan. 9, 2017, the entiretyof which is incorporated herein by reference.

GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under grant No.HHSN261201400 013C awarded by the National Institutes of Health (SBIRProgram). The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The application relates generally to methods of using radiosensitizingagents that are metabolized by thymidine phosphorylase for treatingdisease and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods oftreating cancer by administering 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) to apatient in combination with a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (TPI)and radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Administering radiation sensitizers in combination with radiationtherapy can improve cancer treatment outcomes. 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine(IUdR) has been demonstrated as a potent radiation sensitizer inpreclinical and clinical studies. The effectiveness of radiationsensitization is directly proportional to the amount of IUdR that isincorporated into cancer cell DNA. However, IUdR drug levels in plasmafollowing oral delivery are insufficient to achieve effective levels ofradiation sensitization due to IUdR degradation by the thymidinephosphorylase enzyme in the gut and in the liver.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field for treatment options thatinclude radiation sensitization involving IUdR that allow for theprotection of IUdR from degradation and early metabolization. Theinvention disclosed herein meets this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The application provides methods and formulations directed to treatingcancer that involve sensitizing cancer and/or neoplastic cells with aradiosensitizing agent (e.g., IUdR) while additionally providing athymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (TPI) that prevents degradation of theradiosensitizing agent. For example, inhibiting thymidine phosphorylaseactivity may increase plasma levels of IUdR in a patient, therebyresulting in increased IUdR incorporation into cancer cell DNA andgreater radiation sensitization.

In a first aspect, the invention includes a method for sensitizingcancer cells in a patient having cancer to radiation therapy. The methodmay include a step of administering a therapeutically effective amountof a radiosensitizing agent that is metabolized by thymidinephosphorylase to the patient to thereby sensitize the cancerous cells toradiation. Moreover, the radiosensitizing agent may include5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrug thereof. The method may alsoinclude a step of administering a selected effective amount of athymidine phosphorylase inhibitor to the patient that is configured toinhibit thymidine phosphorylase to thereby hinder metabolization of theradiosensitizing agent by thymidine phosphorylase.

In another aspect, the invention includes a method for treating cancerin a patient in need of such treatment by irradiating cancerous cells inthe patient. The method may include the step of administering atherapeutically effective amount of a radiosensitizing agent that ismetabolized by thymidine phosphorylase to the patient to sensitizecancerous cells to radiation. The radiosensitizing agent may include5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrug thereof. Moreover, the methodmay include the step of administering a selected effective amount of athymidine phosphorylase inhibitor to the patient that is configured toinhibit thymidine phosphorylase to hinder metabolization of theradiosensitizing agent by thymidine phosphorylase. Additionally, themethod may include irradiating a selected tissue of the patient thatincludes the cancerous cells that are sensitized to radiation therapy bythe radiosensitizing agent.

In some embodiments, the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor used in themethods described herein may include Tipiracil.

The cancers treated by the methods described herein, and associatedcancerous cells and tissues, may include one or more of pancreaticcancer, hepatic cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, breastcancer, gastric cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, metastatic breastcancer, head and neck cancers, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer,ureter cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer,small-cell cancer, non-small-cell cancer, malignant lymphomas, braincancer, rectal cancer, and sarcomas. In certain embodiments, the cancermay be rectal cancer or brain cancer. Additionally, the cancer may be apediatric cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia,lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma,osteosarcoma, dysgerminomas, Wilm’s tumor, retinoblastoma, ependymoma,and medulloblastoma.

In other embodiments of the invention, the radiosensitizing agent isIUdR. Furthermore, the prodrug of IUdR,5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose (IPdR), may be used.

In another aspect, the invention includes a kit for providing a methodfor treating cancer in a patient in need of such treatment byirradiating cancerous cells in the patient. The kit may include5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrug thereof. The kit may alsoinclude a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor such as, for example,Tipiracil. In addition, the kit may include instructions for use of IUdRor a prodrug thereof and the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor incombination with radiation therapy for treating cancer in the patient inneed of such treatment.

In a further aspect, the invention includes a pharmaceutical compositionfor sensitizing cancerous cells to radiation. The composition mayinclude a radiosensitizing agent that is metabolized by thymidinephosphorylase. Specifically, the radiosensitizing agent may include5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrug thereof. Moreover, thecomposition may include a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor thatprevents the metabolism of the radiosensitizing agent by thymidinephosphorylase. The composition may also include one or morephysiologically compatible carrier mediums.

In certain embodiments, the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor mayinclude Tipiracil. Moreover, the physiologically compatible carriermedium may include one or more of a solvent, diluent, liquid vehicle,dispersion aid, suspension aid, surface agent, isotonic agent,thickening agent, emulsifying agent, preservative, solid binder,lubricant, and filler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of theexemplary embodiments described herein may be further understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the separate biological pathways ofIUdR in vivo that lead to degradation or DNA incorporation, whichresults in radiosensitizing activity.

FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate log-linear plots of plasma concentration ofIUdR in rats following oral administration of IUdR at 100 mg/kg withoutTipiracil (FIG. 2A) and with Tipiracil at 7.9 mg/kg (FIG. 2B). FIG. 2Cillustrates a log-linear plot of the means of FIGS. 2A and 2B. CompoundA = IUdR, Compound B = Tipiracil.

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate log-linear plots of plasma concentration ofIUdR in rats following oral administration of IUdR at 20 mg/kg withoutTipiracil (FIG. 3A) and with Tipiracil at 7.9 mg/kg (FIG. 3B). FIG. 3Cillustrates a log-linear plot of the means of FIGS. 3A and 3B. CompoundA = IUdR, Compound B = Tipiracil.

FIG. 4 illustrates the difference in plasma concentration of IUdR inrats following oral administration of IUdR at 100 mg/kg and 20 mg/kgwith and without Tipiracil. Compound A = IUdR, Compound B = Tipiracil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective modality for the treatment ofcancers. Strategies to improve the therapeutic index of RT have beenfocused on precise targeting of the tumors to deliver a sufficientradiation dose to control the tumor while limiting doses to normaltissues to reduce undesirable side effects.

The therapeutic index of RT can be improved by using agents withradiation sensitizing properties. Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents thatenhance the killing effects of RT when given concomitantly with RTinclude 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine (an oral 5-FU prodrug),cisplatinum, oxaliplatinum, and, to a lesser extent, mitomycin-C,gemcitabine, taxol, and temozolomide, as well as some biologics.However, these cytotoxic agents have their own single agent toxicities:the antimetabolites, 5-FU and capecitabine toxicities includemyelosuppression, oral mucositis, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, andhand-foot syndrome. Oxaliplatinum added to 5-FU and RT enhance normaltissue toxicities, which include peripheral neuropathy and fatigue.

The halogenated thymidine (TdR) analogs, bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) andiododeoxyuridine (IUdR), for example, are a class of pyrimidine analogsthat have been recognized as potential radiosensitizing agents since theearly 1960s. As shown in FIG. 1 , their cellular uptake and metabolismare dependent on the TdR salvage pathway where they are initiallyphosphorylated to the monophosphate derivative by the rate-limitingenzyme, thymidine kinase (TK). After sequential phosphorylation totriphosphates, they are then used in DNA replication, in competitionwith deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP), by DNA polymerase. Indeed, DNAincorporation is a prerequisite for radiosensitization of human tumorsby the halogenated TdR analogs, and the extent of radiosensitizationcorrelates directly with the percentage TdR replacement in DNA. Withoutbeing limited to any one theory of activity, the molecular mechanisms ofradiosensitization are most likely related to the increasedsusceptibility of TdR analog-substituted DNA to the generation of highlyreactive uracil free radicals by ionizing radiation (IR), which may alsodamage unsubstituted complementary-strand DNA. Pre-IR exposure to TdRanalogs may also reduce cellular repair of IR damage.

Halogenated TdR analogs represent viable radiosensitizers in cancertreatment strategies that include radiation therapy. However, the TdRanalogs may be rapidly metabolized in both rodents and humans,principally with cleavage of deoxyribose and subsequent dehalogenationby hepatic and extrahepatic metabolism, when given as a bolus infusionwith a plasma half-life of <5 min. Consequently, prolonged continuous orrepeated intermittent drug infusions over several weeks before andduring irradiation are necessary, based on in vivo human tumor kinetics,to maximize the proportion of tumor cells that incorporate TdR analogsduring the S phase of the cell cycle. Phase I and II trials usingprolonged continuous or repeated intermittent intravenous infusions ofBUdR or IUdR before and during radiation therapy have focusedprincipally on patients with high-grade brain tumors. These clinicallyradioresistant tumors can have a rapid proliferation rate (potentialtumor doubling times of 5-15 days) and are surrounded bynonproliferating normal brain tissues that show little to no DNAincorporation of the TdR analogs. As such, high-grade brain tumors areideal targets for this approach to radiosensitization.

The results of Phase I/II clinical trials suggest an improved outcomecompared to radiation therapy alone in patients with anaplasticastrocytomas and possibly in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Atherapeutic gain in clinical radiosensitization using halogenated TdRanalogs may also exist for other types of poorly radioresponsive(radioresistant) cancers, including locally advanced cervical cancer,head and neck cancers, unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectalcancers, and locally advanced sarcomas, based on Phase I/II clinicaltrials. However, systemic toxicity to rapidly proliferating normaltissues (principally bone marrow and intestine) can limit the durationand dose rate of the drug infusion and consequently may limit the extentof human tumor radiosensitization. Indeed, the use of high dose, short(96 h), intermittent intravenous infusions of BUdR can result insignificant systemic myelosuppressive and dermatological toxicities.

Various pharmacological approaches have been attempted experimentallyand clinically to improve the therapeutic gain of halogenated TdR analogradiosensitization in poorly radioresponsive (or clinicallyradioresistant) human tumors. The use of selective intra-arterialinfusions, to thereby increase tumor bed drug concentrations, has beenused clinically for primary brain tumors and hepatic metastases with amodest improvement in therapeutic gain. Experimentally, biochemicalmodulation of the key enzymes involved in TdR analog metabolism (e.g.,TK) or in the maintenance of cellular deoxyribonucleotide triphosphatepools (both thymidylate synthase and ribonucleotide reductase) have beenstudied using in vitro and in vivo human tumor systems. Biochemicalmodulation of thymidylate synthase has also been attempted in clinicalPhase 1 trials using concomitant continuous infusions of IUdR witheither fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) or folinic acid (leucovorin), but nosignificant improvements in the therapeutic gain for radiosensitizationwere found compared to IUdR infusions alone.

Regarding the mechanism of radiation therapy, cells die as a result ofirreversible DNA strand breaks caused by irradiation, which interferewith cell division and proliferation. Nucleoside analogs, such as5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BUdR), areagents that “falsely” incorporate into DNA to render cells moresusceptible to the lethal effects of RT by two-three fold, as comparedto cells without the defective DNA. The magnitude of radiosensitizationcorrelates directly with the %IUdR-DNA cellular replacement.Determination of %IUdR-DNA incorporation can serve as aradiosensitization biomarker. Additionally, in a small series ofpatients with head and neck cancers or liver metastases from colorectalcancer, the %IUdR-DNA incorporation in tumors ranged to 5%, but was lessthan 1% in adjacent normal tissue, further supporting a therapeuticwindow for IUdR-mediated radiosensitization. Although IUdR has clearpotential as a clinically active radiosensitizer, its development hasbeen limited by the need for prolonged ci (intra-arterial orintravenous), before and during RT, to radiosensitize tumors. Prolongedci of IUdR resulted in myelosuppression and acute GI toxicities,limiting the tolerated doses and the potential for clinicalradiosensitization. However, the invention maximizes the potential ofradiosensitizing agents, such as lUdR, in sensitizing cancerous cellsand tissues to radiation by reducing metabolic degradation duringtreatment.

As described above, IUdR is a radiation sensitizer with a short plasmahalf-life (T_(½)). In the field, this requires drug delivery bycontinuous infusion to achieve and maintain the necessary therapeuticlevels. By combining IUdR with a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, theplasma T_(½) may be increased to improve IUdR incorporation into DNA andenhance the radiation sensitization of cancers.

Tipiracil, an exemplary TPI, prevents a,a,a-trifluorothymidine (FTD)degradation, enabling higher blood concentrations of FTD while allowingfor oral administration of the combination of an anticancer therapeuticthat includes FTD and TPI (i.e., TAS102) in a molar ratio of 1:0.5. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,744,475, 6,479,500, and 7,799,783; the entiretiesof which are incorporated herein by reference.

The potent radiosensitizer IUdR lacks single agent efficacy as ananticancer agent. Moreover, IUdR’s commercialization has been limited byits short T_(½) in plasma, requiring constant infusion delivery, and theassociated hematologic and GI toxicities. As set forth herein, enzymaticdegradation of IUdR may be limited by the additional delivery of a TPIwith IUdR, thereby resulting in the: (1) increased efficacy of radiationtherapy; and (2) reduced toxicity by avoiding constant infusiondelivery. Additionally, by delivering IUdR in a formulation with TPI,IUdR degradation in the gut will also be attenuated, permitting oraldelivery of a combination drug formulation.

Accordingly, IUdR and a TPI can be delivered orally to patients prior toradiation therapy in separate drug dosages, as a single combination drugpreparation, or as a rapid IV infusion. Inhibition of IUdR metabolismwill lead to increased bioavailability for incorporation into cancer DNAand enhanced cellular response to ionizing radiation.

Regarding the invention more broadly, the invention includes methods andformulations for treating cancer in a patient that may be in need ofsuch treatment, which may preliminarily include sensitizing cancerouscells and tissues to radiation therapy. Generally, the methods describedherein may include the administration of a radiosensitizing agent and athymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (TPI). The administration of theradiosensitizing agent and the TPI may be followed by the application ofradiation therapy. Radiation sensitizing agents may be defined ascompounds that sensitize cancerous or neoplastic cells to radiationtherapy. Moreover, the methods described herein may include theadministration of a radiomimetic therapeutic agent in addition to theapplication of radiation therapy.

The term “neoplastic disease” refers to a proliferative disorder causedor characterized by the proliferation of cells, which are unrestrainedby normal growth control. The term “cancer” includes benign andmalignant tumors and any other proliferative disorders (e.g., theformation of metastasis). Cancers of the same tissue type in generaloriginate from the same tissue, and are for example divided intodifferent subtypes based on their biological characteristics. Specificexamples of cancers that may be treated by the methods and compositionsdescribed herein include solid tumors and may include pancreatic cancer,prostate cancer, hepatic cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer,gastric cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, metastatic breast cancer,head and neck cancers, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, uretercancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, ovariancancer, small-cell cancer and non-small cell cancer, malignantlymphomas, brain cancer (e.g, malignant glioma), sarcomas, and rectalcancer. In certain aspects, the methods described herein pertain totreatments for brain cancer and rectal cancer.

As used herein, the terms “administer,” “administration” or“administering” refer to (1) providing, giving, dosing, and/orprescribing by either a health practitioner or his authorized agent orunder his or her direction according to the disclosure; and (2) puttinginto, taking, or consuming by the patient or person himself or herself,according to the disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treatment,” and/or “treating” mayrefer to the management of a disease, disorder, or pathologicalcondition (e.g., cancer or neoplastic disorder) with the intent to cure,ameliorate, stabilize, prevent, or control of the disease, disorder, orpathological condition. Regarding control of the disease, disorder, orpathological condition more specifically, “control” may include theabsence of disease progression, as assessed by the response to themethods recited herein, where such response may be complete (e.g.,placing the disease in remission) or partial (e.g., slowing the spreadof cancerous cells and tissues and/or preventing, slowing, or haltingmetastasis). For example, a patient responding to the methods oftreatment disclosed herein may exhibit the absence of diseaseprogression (e.g., halting the growth and/or spread of neoplastic cellsand tissues) over another patient that does not receive the methods oftreatment described herein. Following treatment, if no detectableevidence of residual cancer is found in a tissue sample, the response totreatment may be considered a “pathologic complete response” or “pCR. ”

In accordance with the invention, the methods may include theadministration of a therapeutically effective amount of aradiosensitizing agent to a patient in order to sensitize neoplastic orcancerous cells and tissue to radiation. As used herein, the term“radiosensitizing agent” which may be read also as a “radiosensitizer”denotes an agent having an effect of enhancing the sensitivity ofcancerous and/or neoplastic cells to radiation.

Preferably, the radiosensitizing agents described herein includehalogenated nucleosides and their analogs. For example, radiosensitizingagents described herein include 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) andprodrugs thereof. 5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose (IPdR) representsa specific IUdR prodrug. Certain additional halogenated nucleosides thatmay be used in accordance with the invention include one or more PdRanalogs described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,684, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference. In a preferred aspect, theradiosensitizing agent described herein is IUdR.

The agents utilized in the invention may be administered as such, or ina form from which the active agent can be derived, such as a prodrug. A“prodrug” is a derivative of a compound described herein, thepharmacologic action of which results from the conversion by chemical ormetabolic processes in vivo to the active compound. For instance, as setforth herein, IPdR is a prodrug of IUdR. Prodrugs may include compoundswherein an amino acid residue, or a polypeptide chain of two or more(e.g., two, three or four) amino acid residues is covalently joinedthrough an amide or ester bond to a free amino, hydroxyl or carboxylicacid group of the radiosensitizing agent or radiomimetic therapeuticagent. The amino acid residues include but are not limited to the 20naturally occurring amino acids commonly designated by one or threeletter symbols but also include, for example, 4-hydroxyproline,hydroxylysine, desmosine, isodesmosine, 3-methylhistidine, beta-alanine,gamma-aminobutyric acid, citrulline, homocysteine, homoserine, ornithineand methionine sulfone. Additional types of prodrugs are alsoencompassed. For instance, free carboxyl groups can be derivatized asamides or alkyl esters. Prodrug esters as employed herein includesesters and carbonates formed by reacting one or more hydroxyls ofcompounds of the method described herein with alkyl, alkoxy, or arylsubstituted acylating agents employing procedures known to personshaving ordinary skill in the art to generate acetates, pivalates,methylcarbonates, benzoates and the like. As further examples, freehydroxyl groups may be derivatized using groups including but notlimited to hemisuccinates, phosphate esters, dimethylaminoacetates, andphosphoryloxymethyloxycarbonyls, as outlined in Advanced Drug DeliveryReviews, 1996, 19, 115. Carbamate prodrugs of hydroxyl and amino groupsare also included, as are carbonate prodrugs, sulfonate prodrugs,sulfonate esters and sulfate esters of hydroxyl groups. Free amines canalso be derivatized to amides, sulfonamides or phosphonamides. All ofthe stated prodrug moieties may incorporate groups including but notlimited to ether, amine and carboxylic acid functionalities. Moreover,any compound that can be converted in vivo to provide the bioactiveagent (e.g., IPdR to IUdR) is a prodrug within the scope and spirit ofthe invention.

Referring to certain radiosensitizing agents described herein morespecifically, IUdR and IPdR (a prodrug of IUdR) are particularlypreferred agents. IUdR (5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine) is a halogenatedthymidine analog that is an effective in vitro and in vivoradiosensitizer. The % IUdR-DNA cellular replacement correlates directlywith the extent of radiosensitization. While IUdR has been found to be aclinically active radiosensitizer, it requires prolonged continuousintra-arterial or intravenous infusions prior to or during radiationtherapy to optimize tumor radiosensitization. However, prolongedcontinuous infusion presents a challenge in the setting of outpatientradiation therapy and results in myelosuppression and acute GItoxicities that limit the dose and duration of IUdR treatment.

Administering a radiosensitizing agent, a TPI, and/or a radiomimeticagent disclosed herein may be accomplished by any means known to aperson skilled in the art. The radiosensitizing agents (or optionalradiomimetic therapeutic agents) used in practicing the methodsdescribed herein may be administered in an amount sufficient to inducethe desired therapeutic effect in the recipient thereof. Thus, the term“therapeutically effective amount” as used herein refers to an amount ofthe agent which is sufficient to (1) sensitize the cancerous and/orneoplastic cells and tissues to radiation; and/or (2) bring about adetectable therapeutic, preventative, or ameliorative effect (e.g.,reduce the quantity of cancerous and/or neoplastic cells). For example,the therapeutically effective amount of a radiosensitizing agent may bethat amount that enhances the inhibitory or damaging effect of radiationon cancer cells by at least 10%, at times by at least 20%, 30%, 40%,50%, 60%, 70% 80%, 90% and even at times by 99-100% of the inhibitory ordamaging effect of the radiation on the cancer cells as compared to theeffect of radiation of the same cancerous and/or neoplastic cells,without sensitization. Moreover, the magnitude of radiosensitization maybe correlated directly to the false incorporation of radiosensitizingagent into suspect DNA. For example, radiosensitization may becorrelated directly with the %IUdR-DNA cellular replacement. In fact,the determination of %IUdR-DNA incorporation can serve as aradiosensitization biomarker during treatment.

The radiosensitizing agents described herein may be administered in oneor more doses, at least a portion thereof being given to the patientprior to the patient’s exposure to radiation. When a treatment scheduleinvolves administration of several doses of the agent, the doses may bethe same or different, for example, escalating or de-escalating amountsper administration. In addition, when referring to a radiosensitizingagent it should be understood as also encompassing a combination of suchagents.

The radiosensitizing agents described herein are applicable for treatingdisease in any mammal. Exemplary mammals included laboratory animals,including rodents such as mice, rats and guinea pigs; farm animals suchas cows, sheep, pigs and goats; pet animals such as dogs and cats; andprimates such as monkeys, apes, and humans. The compounds used in themethods described herein are preferably used in the human treatments.

In conjunction with the radiosensitizing agents, the methods describedherein further include the delivery of a compound that inhibitsthymidine phosphorylase. As described herein, IUdR may be degraded invivo by the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase. Therefore, in order toprolong the IUdR half-life in vivo and inhibit a primary route ofdegradation, the invention may include delivering a thymidinephosphorylase inhibitor to a patient in conjunction with one or moreradiosensitizing agents that are metabolized by thymidine phosphorylase,such as IUdR and its prodrug, IPdR. The route of IUdR metabolism bythymidine phosphorylase is shown in FIG. 1 . In certain embodiments, thethymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (TPI) may be Tipiracil (i.e.,5-chloro-6-(1-(2-iminopyrrolidinyl)methyl)uracil hydrochloride). Certainthymidine phosphorylase inhibitors, including Tipiracil, and usesthereof, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,744,475; 6,159,969;6,294,535; and 7,799,783; the entirety of which are incorporated hereinby reference. Accordingly, a “selected effective amount” of a TPI may bedefined as an amount delivered to a patient in conjunction with aradiosensitizing agent that is effective to detectably prevent, hinder,or otherwise inhibit metabolic degradation of the radiosensitizing agentas compared to administration of the radiosensitizing agent in theabsence of the selected effective amount of the TPI. For example, theradiosensitizing agent and TPI may be administered in a molar ratio ofabout 1.0:0.5, respectively.

The method may further include irradiating a selected tissue of thepatient before, during, and/or after a radiation sensitizing agent hasbeen administered to the patient. Regarding the application of radiation(i.e., “radiation therapy”) to the patient or subject more generally,such therapy may encompass any ionizing radiation known to those havingordinary skill in the art. Generally, radiation therapy, and inparticular ionizing radiation includes applying to a selected tissue,such as a selected tissue comprising cancerous and/or neoplastic cells,a dose of ionizing radiation or two or more fractions of ionizingradiation. The ionizing radiation is defined as an irradiation dosewhich is determined according to the disease’s characteristics at theselected tissue and therapeutic decision of a physician. The term“fractionated dose(s)” may include, for example, conventionalfractionation, hyperfractionation, hypofractionation, and acceleratedfractionation. The amount of radiation and doses thereof should besufficient to damage the highly proliferating cells’ genetic material,making it impossible for the irradiated cells to continue growing anddividing.

The fractionated irradiation may vary from daily doses (e.g., one ormore times per day) given for a period of weeks, or to once weekly dosesgiven for a period of weeks or months. Radiation may be applied indosages of about 1 Gy to about 100 Gy, or about 20 to about 80 Gy, orabout 30 to 60 Gy.

The dosage in certain embodiments is fractionated, which means that,from about 0.1 to about 10 Gy or from about 1 Gy to about 5 Gy or fromabout 1 Gy to about 3 Gy are applied in a single session which isrepeated several times over the course of about 1 to 10 weeks, orpreferably about 2 to 5 weeks. In a certain aspect, the radiation dosemay be about 30 to 60 Gy at 1 to 3 Gy fractions over a period of about 2to 5 weeks.

Additionally, the cancers treated by the methods and compositionsdescribed herein may include certain pediatric cancers that are treatedin the field with limited doses of radiation Such pediatric cancersinclude one or more of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease,rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, osteosarcoma and other pediatric softtissue sarcomas, dysgerminomas, Wilm’s tumor, retinoblastoma,ependymoma, and medulloblastoma. Typically, radiation fields thatencompass growing bones and tissues need to be limited to levels thatwill not impair growth in growing children. For example, doses of 1080cGy are given for neuroblastoma, 1500 to 1800 cGy for lymphomas, 2400cGy for cranial and 1800 cGy for spinal radiation therapy in CNSleukemias. The administration of such radiation levels would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art in light of thepresent specification.

In some embodiments, the radiosensitizing agents and/or thymidinephosphorylase inhibitors (TPIs) used in the methods described herein maybe administered at a dose as described herein. Such doses may beprovided in one or more applications per day to produce a desiredresult. For example, radiosensitizing agents and thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitors described herein may be administered once or twice daily at adose as described herein.

In some embodiments, the radiosensitizing agents and/or thymidinephosphorylase inhibitors (TPIs) used in the methods described herein maybe administered at a dose in a range from about 0.01 mg/M² to about 5000mg/M². A dose of from 0.1 to 3000 mg/M², or from 100 to 2000 mg/M² inone or more applications per day may be effective to produce a desiredresult. For example, radiosensitizing agents described herein may beadministered once or twice daily at a dose in a range of about 0.01 to3000 mg/M². Indeed, radiosensitizing agents described herein (e.g.,IPdR) may be administered at a dose in a range from about 1500 to 2000mg/M².

In some embodiments, a dose (mg/kg) of the thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor (i.e., Tipiracil) may be greater than 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%,7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%,22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%,36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%,50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%,64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%,78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%,92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%,99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or 100% of a dose (mg/kg) of theradiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR or IUdR) when the thymidinephosphorylase inhibitor and the radiosensitizing agent are delivered incombination to a patient, as described herein.

In some embodiments, a dose (mg/kg) of the thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor (i.e., Tipiracil) may be less than 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%,8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%,23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%,37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%,51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%,65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%,79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%,99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or 100% of a dose (mg/kg) of theradiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR or IUdR) when the thymidinephosphorylase inhibitor and the radiosensitizing agent are delivered incombination to a patient, as described herein.

In some embodiments, a dose (mg/kg) of the thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor (i.e., Tipiracil) may be about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%,23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%,37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%,51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%,65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%,79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%,99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or 100% of a dose (mg/kg) of theradiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR or IUdR) when the thymidinephosphorylase inhibitor and the radiosensitizing agent are delivered incombination to a patient, as described herein.

In some embodiments, a dose (mg/kg) of the thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor (i.e., Tipiracil) may be 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%,10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%,24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%,38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%,52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%,66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%,80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%,94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%,99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or 100% of a dose (mg/kg) of the radiosensitizingagent (e.g., IPdR or IUdR) when the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitorand the radiosensitizing agent are delivered in combination to apatient, as described herein.

In some embodiments, a dose of the radiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR orIUdR) may be greater than 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100,105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170,175, 180, 185, 190, 195, or 200 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the radiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR orIUdR) may be less than 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 105,110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175,180, 185, 190, 195, or 200 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the radiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR orIUdR) may be about 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 105, 110,115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180,185, 190, 195, or 200 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the radiosensitizing agent (e.g., IPdR orIUdR) may be 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50,51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68,69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 105, 110, 115,120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185,190, 195, or 200 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor(i.e., Tipiracil) may be greater than 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80,81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98,99, or 100 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor(i.e., Tipiracil) may be less than 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99,or 100 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor(i.e., Tipiracil) may be about 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64,65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or100 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor(i.e., Tipiracil) may be 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100mg/kg.

In some embodiments, a dose of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor(i.e., Tipiracil) may be 0.1 to 100 mg/kg, or 1 to 50 mg/kg.

Of course, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the dosageactually administered will depend upon the condition being treated, theage, health and weight of the recipient, the type of concurrenttreatment, if any, and the frequency of treatment. Moreover, theeffective dosage amount may be determined by one skilled in the art onthe basis of routine empirical activity testing to measure thebioactivity of the agents in a bioassay (either in vitro or in vivo),and thus establish the appropriate dosage to be administered.

In general, the agents used in the methods described herein can beadministered to provide radiosensitization as set forth above using anyacceptable route known in the art, either alone or in combination withone or more TPIs or other therapeutic agents as pharmaceuticalcompositions with a physiologically compatible carrier medium. Thus, theagent(s) described herein can be administered orally, parenterally, suchas by intravenous or intraarterial infusion, intramuscular,intraperitoneal, intrathecal or subcutaneous injection, byliposome-mediated delivery, rectally, vaginally, by inhalation orinsufflation, transdermally or by otic delivery.

The orally administered dosage unit may be in the form of tablets,caplets, dragees, pills, semisolids, soft or hard gelatin capsules,aqueous or oily solutions, emulsions, suspensions or syrups. In someembodiments, an orally administered dosage unit may include aradiosensitizing agent and a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor. In someembodiments, an orally administered dosage unit may include aradiosensitizing agent, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, and aradiomimetic therapeutic agent. For example, an orally administereddosage unit may be a multi-component tablet (e.g., a multilayer tablet)having one or more components where each component may be composed of aradiosensitizing agent, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, aradiomimetic therapeutic agent, or a combination thereof. Indeed, amulti-component tablet may have an inner component (e.g., a core) and anouter component (e.g., a coating layer or shell) where the outercomponent may be dissolved or degraded to release a first agent and theinner component may then be dissolved or degraded to release a secondagent. Certain pharmaceutical compositions described herein may beprepared as solid dosage forms that include a multi-component ormulti-layer tablet. The multi-component tablet may have an innercomponent (e.g., a core) that includes a radiosensitizing agent (e.g.,IUdR or IPdR) and a first physiologically compatible carrier medium; andan outer component (e.g., a coating layer or shell) disposed around theinner component that includes a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (e.g.,Tipiracil) and a second physiologically compatible carrier medium. Thefirst and second physiologically compatible carrier mediums may be thesame or different.

Suitable dosage forms for parenteral administration include injectablesolutions or suspensions, suppositories, powder formulations, such asmicrocrystals or aerosol spray. The active agents of the invention mayalso be incorporated into a conventional transdermal delivery system.

As used herein, the expression “physiologically compatible carriermedium” includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquidvehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface agent agents, isotonicagents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders,lubricants, fillers and the like as suited for the particular dosageform desired. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20^(th)edition, A.R. Genaro et al., Part 5, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, pp.669-1015 (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD/Philadelphia, PA)(2000) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceuticalcompositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Exceptinsofar as any conventional pharmaceutical carrier medium isincompatible with either the radiosensitizing, TPI, or radiomimetictherapeutic agents described herein, such as by producing an undesirablebiological effect or otherwise interacting in an deleterious manner withany other component(s) of a formulation comprising such compounds oragents, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of thisinvention.

For the production of solid dosage forms, including hard and softcapsules, the agents described herein may be mixed with pharmaceuticallyinert, inorganic or organic excipients, such as lactose, sucrose,glucose, gelatine, malt, silica gel, starch or derivatives thereof,talc, stearic acid or its salts, dried skim milk, vegetable, petroleum,animal or synthetic oils, wax, fat, polyols, and the like. For theproduction of liquid solutions, emulsions or suspensions or syrups onemay use excipients such as water, alcohols, aqueous saline, aqueousdextrose, polyols, glycerine, lipids, phospholipids, cyclodextrins,vegetable, petroleum, animal or synthetic oils. For suppositories onemay use excipients, such as vegetable, petroleum, animal or syntheticoils, wax, fat and polyols. For aerosol formulations, one may usecompressed gases suitable for this purpose, such as oxygen, nitrogen andcarbon dioxide. Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations may alsocontain one or more additives including, without limitation,preservatives, stabilizers, e.g., UV stabilizers, emulsifiers,sweeteners, salts to adjust the osmotic pressure, buffers, coatingmaterials and antioxidants.

The invention may further include controlled-release, sustained-release,or extended-release therapeutic dosage forms for administration of theagents described herein, which involve incorporation of the agents intoa suitable delivery system. This dosage form controls release of theactive agent(s) in such a manner that an effective concentration of theactive agent(s) in the bloodstream may be maintained over an extendedperiod of time, with the concentration in the blood remaining relativelyconstant, to improve therapeutic results and/or minimize side effects.Additionally, a controlled-release system would provide minimum peak totrough fluctuations in blood plasma levels of the agent.

In pharmaceutical compositions used in practicing a method describedherein, the specified agent(s) (e.g., radiosensitizing agent, TPI,and/or radiomimetic therapeutic agent) may be present in an amount of atleast 0.5 and generally not more than 95% by weight, based on the totalweight of the composition, including carrier medium and/or supplementalactive agent(s), if any. Preferably, the proportion of active agent(s)varies between 30-90% by weight of the composition.

The methods described herein may further include the step of surgicallyresecting a cancerous tissue where the cancerous tissue includes a solidtumor. Resection of the cancerous tissue may be performed before orafter at least one of the steps of administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a radiosensitizing agent, administering a selectedeffective amount of a TPI, and applying radiation therapy to thepatient. Resection of the solid tumor may allow for the mass to bereduced prior to application of the methods described herein.

In certain optional embodiments, the methods described herein includeproviding a therapeutically effective amount of a radiomimetictherapeutic agent to the patient. An exemplary radiomimetic therapeuticagent that may be administered in conjunction with the radiosensitizingagents described herein is cis-platinum (i.e.,cis-diamminedichloroplatinum).

In accordance with the foregoing methods described herein, a kit isprovided that may include a radiosensitizing agent (one or more of suchagents), a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (TPI) (one or more of suchagents), and instructions for use of the radiosensitizing agent and theTPI in combination with radiation therapy for treating cancer orneoplastic disease in a patient in need of such treatment. Optionally,the kits described herein may include one or more radiomimetictherapeutic agents.

The kits described herein may be used in the methods as describedherein.

The embodiments encompassed herein are now described with reference tothe following examples. These examples are provided for the purpose ofillustration only and the disclosure encompassed herein should in no waybe construed as being limited to these examples, but rather should beconstrued to encompass any and all variations which become evident as aresult of the teachings provided herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetic Profile of IUdR(100 mg/kg) and Tipiracil in Rats Following Single Oral Administration

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokineticsparameters of IUdR in male Sprague-Dawley rats following single oral(PO) administration the IUdR (i.e., Compound A) and Tipiracil (i.e.,Compound B).

A control formulation was prepared where Compound A was dissolved in5%DMSO+95%PBS to yield a final concentration of 10 mg/mL for oraladministration. The prepared formulation was white suspension (pH~7).

A second formulation was prepared where Compound A and Compound B weredissolved in 5%DMSO+95%PBS to yield a final concentration of 10mg/mL(Compound A) and 0.79 mg/mL (Compound B) for oral administration.The prepared formulation was white suspension (pH~7).

Animal Acquisition and Assignment to Study. A total of 8 maleexperimental Sprague-Dawley Rats were transferred from stock colony, and6 animals were placed on study.

Dose Administration. The test article was administered via a single oraladministration. Dose administration information is presented in thefollowing Table 1.

TABLE 1 Dose Administration Animal Number Group Number Sex Body Weight(g) Dose Level (mg/kg) Dose Conc. (mg/mL)* Dose Volume (mL/kg) VolumeAdministered (mL) Dose Route* * 101 1 Male 186.1 100 10 10 1.9 PO 102 1Male 187.2 100 10 10 1.9 PO 103 1 Male 196.1 100 10 10 2.0 PO 201 2 Male204.5 100 (A) and 7.9 (B) 10 (A) and 0.79 (B) 10 2.0 PO 202 2 Male 206.3100 (A) and 7.9 (B) 10 (A) and 0.79 (B) 10 2.1 PO 203 2 Male 212.2 100(A) and 7.9 (B) 10 (A) and 0.79 (B) 10 2.1 PO *The dose was expressed asfree form. ** The animals that dosed via orally were fasted overnight(10-16 hrs) prior to oral administration. Notably, food supply to theanimals dosed orally were resumed 2 hours post-dose.

Sample Collection and Bioanalysis. Blood samples (approximately 200 µL/sample) were collected via jugular vein at Pre-dose and Post-dose (5min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h and 24 h). Blood sampleswere placed into tubes containing K₂EDTA and centrifuged conditions at8000 rpm for 6 minutes at 2-8° C. to separate plasma from the samples.Following centrifugation, the resulting plasma were transferred to cleantubes and stored frozen at -80° C. pending bioanalysis.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis. The PK analysis and interpretation of theresults were conducted by Medicilon Preclinical Research (Shanghai) LLC.A non-compartmental module of WinNonlin® Professional was used tocalculate parameters. Any BLQs (LLOQ = 10.0 ng/mL for Compound A) wereomitted when calculate the PK parameters.

Clinical Observations. No abnormal observations were noted.

Results. The results of the study are provided in Tables 2 to 4 andFIGS. 2A to 2C.

TABLE 2 Plasma concentration of Compound A in rats following oraladministration Time points (hr) Plasma Concentration (ng/mL) PO-100(Compound A) mg/kg 101 102 103 Mean SD 0 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 0.083 191.02192.41 168.24 183.89 13.57 0.25 488.90 628.30 538.67 551.95 70.64 0.5627.41 755.39 684.80 689.20 64.10 1 555.81 596.55 772.49 641.62 115.15 2773.62 645.17 943.79 787.53 149.80 4 276.40 316.82 441.37 344.87 85.98 6BLQ 54.01 56.61 55.31 NA 8 BLQ 14.06 BLQ NA NA 24 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA Timepoints (hr) PO-100 (Compound A) + 7.9 (Compound B) mg/kg 201 202 203Mean SD 0 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 0.083 333.57 349.38 503.96 395.63 94.15 0.251000.36 1912.16 1611.65 1508.06 464.64 0.5 1826.53 3032.67 2159.562339.59 622.90 1 1288.97 1908.57 1671.33 1622.96 312.62 2 1270.991309.80 1227.78 1269.52 41.03 4 436.13 1238.72 950.09 874.98 406.53 642.32 57.49 56.82 52.21 8.58 8 BLQ 46.41 10.58 28.50 NA 24 BLQ BLQ BLQNA NA LLOQ = 10 ng/mL for plasma SD: Standard deviation NA: Notapplicable. BLQ: Below Limit of Quantitation

TABLE 3 Selected pharmacokinetics parameters of Compound A in ratsfollowing oral administration PO-20 (Compound A) mg/kg Animal Numbert_(½) T_(max) C_(max) AUC_((0-t)) AUC_((0-∞)) MRT_((0-∞)) h h ng/mLng/mL*h ng/mL*h h 101 NA 2.00 773.62 2214.79 NA NA 102 0.89 0.50 755.392609.22 2627.28 2.29 103 NA 2.00 943.79 3324.55 NA NA Mean NA 1.50824.27 2716.19 NA NA SD NA 0.87 103.91 562.56 NA NA PO-20 (Compound A) +7.9 (Compound B) mg/kg Animal Number t_(½) T_(max) C_(max) AUC_((0-t))AUC_((0-∞)) MRT_((0-∞)) h h ng/mL ng/mL*h ng/mL*h h 201 0.81 0.501826.53 4723.01 4772.76 1.94 202 1.17 0.50 3032.67 7614.57 7692.59 2.31203 0.62 0.50 2159.56 6328.43 6337.84 2.19 Mean 0.87 0.50 2339.596222.01 6267.73 2.15 SD 0.28 0.00 622.90 1448.71 1461.18 0.19

TABLE 4 Comparison of selected pharmacokinetic parameters of Compound Ain rats following oral administration Test Article C_(max) ng/mLAUC_((0-t)) ng/mL*h C_(max) Ratio AUC_((0-t)) Ratio Compound A 824.272716.19 - - Compound A+B 2339.59 6222.01 2.84 2.29

As shown in the foregoing results, the combination of IUdR (i.e.,Compound A) and Tipiracil (i.e., Compound B), with a 100 mg/kg IUdRdose, demonstrated a more than two-fold increase IUdR concentration inthe blood following oral administration as compared to IUdR alone.

Example 2: Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic Profile of IUdR (20 mg/kg) andTipiracil in Rats Following Single Oral Administration

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokineticsparameters of IUdR in male Sprague-Dawley rats following single oral(PO) administration the IUdR (i.e., Compound A) and Tipiracil (i.e.,Compound B).

A control formulation was prepared where Compound A was dissolved in5%DMSO+95%PBS to yield a final concentration of 2 mg/mL for oraladministration. The prepared formulation was colorless clear solution(pH~8).

A second formulation was prepared where Compound A and Compound B weredissolved in 5%DMSO+95%PBS to yield a final concentration of 2mg/mL(Compound A) and 0.79 mg/mL(Compound B) for oral administration.The prepared formulation was colorless clear solution (pH~7).

Animal Acquisition and Assignment to Study. A total of 8 maleexperimental Sprague-Dawley Rats were transferred from stock colony, and6 animals were placed on study.

Dose Administration. The test article was administered via a single oraladministration. Dose administration information is presented in thefollowing Table 5.

TABLE 5 Dose Administration Animal Number Group Number Sex Body Weight(g) Dose Level (mg/kg) Dose Conc. (mg/mL)* Dose Volume (mL/kg) VolumeAdministered (mL) Dose Route* * 101 1 Male 233.2 20 2 10 2.3 PO 102 1Male 223.5 20 2 10 2.2 PO 103 1 Male 219.8 20 2 10 2.2 PO 201 2 Male226.0 20 (A) and 7.9 (B) 2 (A) and 0.79(B) 10 2.3 PO 202 2 Male 212.0 20(A) and 7.9 (B) 2 (A) and 0.79(B) 10 2.1 PO 203 2 Male 228.1 20 (A) and7.9 (B) 2 (A) and 0.79(B) 10 2.3 PO *The dose was expressed as freeform. ** The animals that dosed via orally were fasted overnight (10-16hrs) prior to oral administration. Notably, food supply to the animalsdosed orally were resumed 2 hours post-dose.

Sample Collection and Bioanalysis. Blood samples (approximately 200 µL/sample) were collected via jugular vein at Pre-dose and Post-dose (5min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h and 24 h). Blood sampleswere placed into tubes containing K₂EDTA and centrifuged conditions at8000 rpm for 6 minutes at 2-8° C. to separate plasma from the samples.Following centrifugation, the resulting plasma were transferred to cleantubes and stored frozen at -80° C. pending bioanalysis.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis. The PK analysis and interpretation of theresults were conducted by Medicilon Preclinical Research (Shanghai) LLC.A non-compartmental module of WinNonlin® Professional was used tocalculate parameters. Any BLQs (LLOQ = 5.0 ng/mL for Compound A) wereomitted when calculate the PK parameters.

Clinical Observations. No abnormal observations were noted.

Results. The results of the study are provided in Tables 6 to 8 andFIGS. 3A to 3C.

TABLE 6 Plasma concentration of Compound A in rats following oraladministration Time points (hr) Plasma Concentration (ng/mL) PO-20(Compound A) mg/kg 101 102 103 Mean SD 0 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 0.083 24.5325.16 16.04 21.91 5.09 0.25 36.46 54.67 56.48 49.20 11.08 0.5 52.4563.23 57.34 57.67 5.39 1 27.25 19.19 21.93 22.79 4.10 2 BLQ BLQ BLQ NANA 4 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 6 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 8 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 24 BLQBLQ BLQ NA NA Time points (hr) PO-20 (Compound A) + 7.9 (Compound B)mg/kg 201 202 203 Mean SD 0 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 0.083 14.12 36.03 23.4424.53 11.00 0.25 321.36 290.22 261.33 290.97 30.02 0.5 433.57 358.18354.27 382.01 44.70 1 212.44 158.83 209.52 193.60 30.14 2 36.37 20.4927.20 28.02 7.97 4 9.38 BLQ BLQ NA NA 6 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA 8 BLQ BLQ BLQNA NA 24 BLQ BLQ BLQ NA NA LLOQ = 5 ng/mL for plasma SD: Standarddeviation NA: Not applicable. BLQ: Below Limit of Quantitation

TABLE 7 Selected pharmacokinetics parameters of Compound A in ratsfollowing oral administration PO-20 (Compound A) mg/kg Animal Numbert_(½) T_(max) C_(max) AUC_((0-t)) AUC_((0-∞)) MRT_((0-∞)) h h ng/mLng/mL*h ng/mL*h h 101 NA 0.50 52.45 37.15 NA NA 102 NA 0.50 63.23 43.05NA NA 103 NA 0.50 57.34 40.76 NA NA Mean NA 0.50 57.67 40.32 NA NA SD NA0.00 5.39 2.98 NA NA PO-20 (Compound A) + 7.9 (Compound B) mg/kg AnimalNumber t_(½) T_(max) C_(max) AUC_((0-t)) AUC_((0-∞)) MRT_((0-∞)) h hng/mL ng/mL*h ng/mL*h h 201 0.64 0.50 433.57 454.62 463.22 0.96 202 0.360.50 358.18 328.70 339.33 0.73 203 0.39 0.50 354.27 361.00 376.47 0.81Mean 0.46 0.50 382.01 381.44 393.01 0.84 SD 0.15 0.00 44.70 65.40 63.580.12

TABLE 8 Selected pharmacokinetics parameters of Compound A in ratsfollowing oral administration Test Article C_(max) ng/mL AUC_((0-t))ng/mL*h C_(max) Ratio AUC_((0-t)) Ratio Compound A 57.67 40.32 - -Compound A+B 382.01 381.44 6.62 9.46

As shown in the foregoing results, the combination of IUdR (i.e.,Compound A) and Tipiracil (i.e., Compound B), with a 20 mg/kg IUdR dose,demonstrated a more than nine-fold increase in IUdR concentration in theblood following oral administration as compared to IUdR alone.

Example 3: Comparison of 20 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg IUdR Doses With andWithout Tipiracil From Examples 1 and 2

The animal data provided in Examples 1 and 2 may be compared as shown inFIG. 4 .

A number of patent and non-patent publications are cited herein in orderto describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. Theentire disclosure of each of these publications is incorporated byreference herein.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described and/orexemplified above, various other embodiments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. The invention is,therefore, not limited to the particular embodiments described and/orexemplified, but is capable of considerable variation and modificationwithout departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Moreover, as used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes,formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities andcharacteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximateand/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversionfactors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factorsknown to those of skill in the art. In general, a dimension, size,formulation, parameter, shape or other quantity or characteristic is“about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. Itis noted that embodiments of very different sizes, shapes and dimensionsmay employ the described arrangements.

Furthermore, the transitional terms “comprising”, “consistingessentially of” and “consisting of”, when used in the appended claims,in original and amended form, define the claim scope with respect towhat unrecited additional claim elements or steps, if any, are excludedfrom the scope of the claim(s). The term “comprising” is intended to beinclusive or open-ended and does not exclude any additional, unrecitedelement, method, step or material. The term “consisting of” excludes anyelement, step or material other than those specified in the claim and,in the latter instance, impurities ordinary associated with thespecified material(s). The term “consisting essentially of” limits thescope of a claim to the specified elements, steps or material(s) andthose that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s) of the claimed invention. All methods, kits,compositions, formulations, and other embodiments described herein thatembody the invention can, in alternate embodiments, be more specificallydefined by any of the transitional terms “comprising,” “consistingessentially of,” and “consisting of.”

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What is claimed is:
 1. A method for sensitizing cancer cells in apatient having cancer to radiation therapy, the method comprising thesteps of: a. administering a therapeutically effective amount of aradiosensitizing agent that is metabolized by thymidine phosphorylase tothe patient to sensitize cancerous cells to radiation, theradiosensitizing agent comprising 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or aprodrug thereof; and b. administering a selected effective amount of athymidine phosphorylase inhibitor to the patient that is configured toinhibit thymidine phosphorylase to hinder metabolization of theradiosensitizing agent by thymidine phosphorylase.
 2. A method fortreating cancer in a patient in need of such treatment by irradiatingcancerous cells in the patient, the method comprising the steps of: a.administering a therapeutically effective amount of a radiosensitizingagent that is metabolized by thymidine phosphorylase to the patient tosensitize cancerous cells to radiation, the radiosensitizing agentcomprising 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrug thereof; b.administering a selected effective amount of a thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor to the patient that is configured to inhibit thymidinephosphorylase to hinder metabolization of the radiosensitizing agent bythymidine phosphorylase; and c. irradiating a selected tissue of thepatient that comprises sensitized cancerous cells.
 3. The method of anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor comprises Tipiracil.
 4. The method of any one of the precedingclaims, wherein the cancer comprises one or more of pancreatic cancer,hepatic cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer,gastric cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, metastatic breast cancer,head and neck cancers, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, uretercancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, small-cellcancer, non-small-cell cancer, malignant lymphomas, and brain cancer,rectal cancer, and sarcomas.
 5. The method of any one of the precedingclaims, wherein the cancer is one or more of rectal cancer and braincancer.
 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cancercomprises a pediatric cancer selected from the group consisting ofleukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’ssarcoma, osteosarcoma, dysgerminomas, Wilm’s tumor, retinoblastoma,ependymoma, and medulloblastoma.
 7. The method of any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the selected tissue comprises a surgicallyresected selected tissue.
 8. The method of claim 2, comprising the stepof repeating one or more of steps (a), (b), and (c).
 9. The method ofany one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of administering atherapeutically effective amount of a radiosensitizing agent comprises aroute of administration selected from the group consisting of oral,parenteral, liposome-mediated, rectal, vaginal, inhalation,insufflation, transdermal, intravenous, otic, and combinations thereof.10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step ofadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a radiosensitizingagent comprises orally or intravenously administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the radiosensitizing agent.
 11. The method of anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the step of administering aselected effective amount of a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitorcomprises a route of administration selected from the group consistingof oral, parenteral, liposome-mediated, rectal, vaginal, inhalation,insufflation, transdermal, intravenous, otic, and combinations thereof.12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step ofadministering a selected effective amount of a thymidine phosphorylaseinhibitor comprises orally or intravenously administering a selectedeffective amount of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor.
 13. Themethod of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radiosensitizingagent is IUdR.
 14. The method of any one of the preceding claims,wherein the prodrug comprises 5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose(IPdR).
 15. The method of any one claims 1-13, wherein theradiosensitizing agent comprises 5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose(IPdR).
 16. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein thetherapeutically effective amount of the radiosensitizing agent and theselected effective amount of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor areadministered simultaneously or sequentially to the patient.
 17. Themethod of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the therapeuticallyeffective amount of the radiosensitizing agent and the selectedeffective amount of the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor areadministered simultaneously to the patient.
 18. The method of any one ofthe preceding claims, comprising the step of administering atherapeutically effective amount of a radiomimetic therapeutic agent.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the radiomimetic agent comprisescis-platinum.
 20. A kit for providing a method for treating cancer in apatient in need of such treatment by irradiating cancerous cells in thepatient, the kit comprising 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrugthereof, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, and instructions for useof the IUdR or prodrug thereof and the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitorin combination with radiation therapy for treating cancer in the patientin need of such treatment.
 21. The kit of claim 20, wherein thethymidine phosphorylase inhibitor comprises Tipiracil.
 22. The kit ofclaim 20 or 21, wherein the cancer comprises one or more of pancreaticcancer, hepatic cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, breastcancer, gastric cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, metastatic breastcancer, head and neck cancers, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer,ureter cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer,small-cell cancer, non-small-cell cancer, malignant lymphomas, and braincancer, rectal cancer, and sarcomas.
 23. The kit of any one of claims20-22, wherein the cancer is one or more of rectal cancer and braincancer.
 24. The kit of claim 20 or 21, wherein the cancer comprises apediatric cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia,lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma,osteosarcoma, dysgerminomas, Wilm’s tumor, retinoblastoma, ependymoma,and medulloblastoma.
 25. The kit of any one of claims 20-24, comprisinga radiomimetic therapeutic agent.
 26. The kit of claim 25, wherein theradiomimetic therapeutic agent comprises cis-platinum.
 27. The kit ofany one of claims 20-26, wherein the prodrug comprises5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose (IPdR).
 28. A pharmaceuticalcomposition for sensitizing cancerous cells to radiation therapy, thecomposition comprising: a. a radiosensitizing agent that is metabolizedby thymidine phosphorylase, wherein the radiosensitizing agent comprises5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR) or a prodrug thereof; b. a thymidinephosphorylase inhibitor that hinders metabolism of the radiosensitizingagent by thymidine phosphorylase; and c. a physiologically compatiblecarrier medium.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 28, whereinthe thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor comprises Tipiracil.
 30. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 28 or 29, wherein thephysiologically compatible carrier medium comprises one or more of asolvent, diluent, liquid vehicle, dispersion aid, suspension aid,surface agent, isotonic agent, thickening agent, emulsifying agent,preservative, solid binder, lubricant, and filler.
 31. Thepharmaceutical composition of any one of claims 28-30, comprising aradiomimetic therapeutic agent.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 31, wherein the radiomimetic therapeutic agent comprisescis-platinum.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of claims28-32, wherein the prodrug comprises5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose (IPdR).
 34. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of any one of claims 28-32, wherein the radiosensitizingagent comprises 5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2′-deoxyribose (IPdR).
 35. Thepharmaceutical composition of any one of claims 28-34, wherein thepharmaceutical composition is prepared as an orally administered dosageunit.
 36. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 35, wherein the orallyadministered dosage unit comprises a solid dosage form.
 37. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 36, wherein the solid dosage formcomprises a multicomponent tablet.
 38. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 37, wherein the multicomponent comprises: a. an inner componentcomprising the radiosensitizing agent and a first physiologicallycompatible carrier medium; and b. an outer component disposed around theinner component comprising the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor and asecond physiologically compatible carrier medium.